Newsletter

Woman asks public's help in solving husband's death

Brenda Jackson (front), the widow of Hester Jackson, stands with family members. She is asking anyone with information about the slaying to step forward.

After a news conference to ask anyone with information about the death of Hester Jackson to step forward, police and volunteers passed out flyers like this one around the neighborhood where he was killed.

H. Jackson

Brenda Jackson would have been preparing to celebrate her first Christmas with her husband, but instead she’s searching for his killer.

“I don’t know what closure would be, but knowing (the killer) is off the street would be good,” she said Wednesday. Police canvassed neighborhoods off the 2700 block of Willis Foreman Road on Wednesday afternoon searching for information in the shooting of 56-year-old Hester Jackson.

“We’ve always been successful doing this,” Lt. Calvin Chew said. “Hopefully, we can get some information in this case.”

Investigators said it appeared Jackson was shot in his home the evening of Dec. 8 when he surprised at least one burglar.

Brenda Jackson recalled the day as the worst day of her life.

She and Hester had wed just six months earlier after being close for more than 20 years. She was in Charlotte, N.C., packing to move to his Hephzibah home this week.

On Dec. 8, she called him, but there was no answer. She said it was the first of many sleepless nights. The next morning she called his job at Wackenhut Services at Savannah River Site and learned he hadn’t shown up for work – something unheard of for him. Later that morning, police discovered his body.

Authorities have not released the details of the burglary, but Jackson said her husband never felt unsafe in the neighborhood and had discussed adding on to the home.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get over this,” Jackson said. “Even though Hester’s not here, I’m still talking to him.”

According to his obituary, Jackson was an Air Force veteran and had been employed at Wackenhut for 29 years. He was described as an “avid racquetball player” who played across the country and was a “dynamic” saxophone player.

On Wednesday, Hester Jackson’s friends and family supported his widow as she pleaded for answers.

“Please turn yourself in,” she said to the unknown killer. “You’ve done the crime, now pay for it. What you’ve done to our family is senseless.”

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with WSI-SRS and the United Professional Pro-Force of Savannah River Local 125, is offering a reward of $9,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Augusta Crime Stoppers has added $1,000 for information; conviction is not required for the $1,000 reward.

The sheriff’s office is asking that anyone with information call (706) 821-1020 or (706) 821-1080.